In the Tension Between Faith and Grief

I was struck by Smith’s (2024) point that to discover our calling, we first need to understand how God designed us. It reframes the question of “What am I supposed to do with my life?” into something deeper—“How did God make me, and what does that say about how I should live?” These two questions—Who am I? and Am I willing to live in humble acceptance of God’s call?—are easy to gloss over until life brings you to a place where those questions won’t leave you alone.

From a biblical worldview, we’re taught that we’re created with intention, made in God’s image, and that God is actively working for good, even in the middle of brokenness. This is where I find myself wrestling. While I want to believe that nothing is random, that God weaves purpose even from pain, I’m still in the deep, raw parts of grief after losing my son. And in that space, it's hard to reconcile the idea that all of this is somehow part of a divine plan. I haven't entirely made peace with that yet.

At the same time, I’ve begun to see how the things I’ve lived through—the things that have shaped me—are now shaping something bigger than me. The creation of a foundation in honor of my son wasn’t something I planned, but it has become a way to pour meaning into a place that feels empty. In stepping into this work, I see glimpses of how I’m wired to mentor, to build, and to advocate for others. It’s not always comforting, but it is grounding.

Ephesians 2:10 says we are “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (New American Standard Bible, 1995). I return to this verse often, not as an easy answer, but as a quiet reminder that even when I don’t understand the why, there may still be a path forward that reflects how I was made.

A biblical worldview doesn’t remove grief, confusion, or doubt. But it does give me a lens to look through when I’m ready to ask what is still true about who I am, and how I might still live with purpose, even in the midst of loss.

Tension Between Grief and Faith

References

New American Standard Bible. (1995). The Holy Bible. The Lockman Foundation.

Smith, G. (2024). Courage and calling: Embracing your God-given potential (Revised and updated ed.). InterVarsity Press.

Discussion prompt: In this passage from page 49 of Courage and Calling, Smith (2024) makes a statement that to understand our calling, you need to understand God's design or purposes. How does being familiar with a biblical worldview help us understand the big picture of God's design, and how can you apply that understanding to your own calling?